The Oregon Trail
Collector's Edition
The Collector's Edition includes the full-length 2-hour program in four half-hour videos. This handsomely packaged series make a great gift that will bring joy for years to come.
This historical documentary video:
- Was created by a a 4-time Emmy-winning producer!
- Was seen nationally on over 100 PBS stations
- Is a Telly award winner for excellence in history television
All about the Collector's Edition
| Synopis of each episode | Ordering info... | Main page
What makes this series so special?
Quality: Immediately, you'll notice the distinctive cinematography of the Emmy-award winning crew. They traveled the entire length of the Trail, filming the untouched scenic vistas that still exist along much of the route.
Accuracy: Great care was taken to ensure historical accuracy. Every rut you'll see is the actual Oregon Trail; every still image is from the Trail's glory years. The producers spent three years just doing research--sifting through archives, reading old diaries--because they wanted it to be done right. Also, interspersed throughout the film are fascinating comments from the Trail's most renowned historians--Merrill Mattes, William Hill, Larry Jones and Charlie Martin Sr.
Rare images: Woven into the film are hundreds of rare paintings, photos and sketches from the mid-1800s. The filmmakers relentlessly searched archives from coast to coast to compile an incredible collection of the Trail's most fascinating historic images.
The complete story: Every facet of the great western journey is covered: Lewis and Clark . The Astorians. The Whitmans. The Great Migration. Reasons behind the journey. Political overtones. Preparations for the trek. Oxen vs. Mules. Daily life on the Trail. Death and Hardship. Encounters with Native American tribes. Buffalo. Alternate routes. The Mormon trek . 49ers on the Trail. Role of the British. Settling in. Plus, background on ALL the important sites along the way--from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City.
Beginnings (Episode 1): This episode explains the curious events that preceded the great migration: Lewis and Clark's utter failure to find a practical route west; the Astorians almost-comical success a few years later; and the amazing tale of the first lone covered wagon to made it to Oregon--almost. Plus, this episode explains the surprising motivations for the half-million people that ventured west on the Trail; and describes preparations for a typical journey.
Across the Plains (Episode 2): This episode follows the first leg of the Oregon Trail journey from the Missouri frontier to Fort Laramie, Wyoming--including the strange landmarks on that portion of the route. In addition, this programs describes the pioneers' first encounters with Native Americans; the unique problems of Great Plains camping; and the almost daily tragedy of lethal accidents.
Through the Rockies (Episode 3): This episode follows the Oregon Trail from eastern Wyoming to Fort Hall Idaho--explaining the problems of Trail overcrowding and the ever-present danger of rampant cholera. In addition, this episode describes the parallel journey of the Mormon pioneers bound for Utah.
The Final Steps (Episode 4): Finishing off the Oregon Trail, this episode follows the ruts through Idaho to Oregon's Willamette Valley. In addition to covering the sites en route, this program also considers the California-bound 49ers, who split off from the main Oregon Trail on their trek to the gold fields. The conclusion puts the Trail in historical perspective as the critical link in uniting the eastern and western United States.
2 hours in length. VHS. NTSC (U.S.) format.
Special Websurfer price: $39.95 (Plus $3.00 shipping)
Four 30-minute programs. VHS. NTSC (U.S.) format.
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